However, the next thing, of course, would be that he would shave in whole or in part.

His big black beard was so very conspicuous; he would certainly get rid of that before attempting to escape.

The servants being in bed, he was not pressed for time; he had the whole night before him.

So, of course, he shaved.
On the other hand, the police, you may be sure, will circulate his photograph--we must not shirk these points"-- for Mrs.Mallet winced again--"will circulate his photograph, BEARD AND ALL; and that will really be one of our great safeguards; for the bushy beard so masks the face that, without it, Hugo would be scarcely recognisable.

I conclude, therefore, that he must have shorn himself BEFORE leaving home; though naturally I did not make the police a present of the hint by getting Lina to ask any questions in that direction of the housemaid." "You are probably right," I answered.